Bangers definitely benefitted from the untimely demise of English Cricket but still punched above its weight, especially given the tournament was away from the comfy confines of the sub-continent. Wins against Afghanistan, Scotland and a big win over England with losses against Sri Lanka and New Zealand and a rain abandoned match against Australia was a fair haul for the World Cup and they were competitive in every single match. Having said that, they were soundly beaten in the quarter-finals by India but they certainly justified their promotion to Test playing nation with another sound performance.

I didn’t really expect much from Pakistan in this World Cup. The team had more question marks than the average Pakistani side. Losing the bowling options of Mohammad Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal before a ball was bowled was quite the blow. I couldn’t see where runs would come from apart from Misbah and couldn’t really see where wickets would come from apart from Irfan. They didn’t repeat the heroics of 1992 but they still played above expectations. Wins against Zimbabwe, UAE, Ireland and South Africa were sublime but it was the losses against India (amazing crowd for that match) and the West Indies which really consigned them to almost certain elimination against Australia. It ended there as expected and if you looked at the scorecard after the match you would think Australia cantered to a victory (Pakistan 213 and Australia 4/216) but when Wahab Riaz had Michael Clarke out and Australia was 3 for 59 anything could have happened. The spell from Wahab was devastating. He should have had Shane Watson on a number of occasions. Both Watson and later Maxwell were dropped. In the end it was still curtains for Pakistan but at least they had fired some shots in anger.

Sri Lanka had a fair tournament and performed well for a World Cup away from the sub-continent. I expected that they would knock over everyone except Australia, England and New Zealand and be knocked out in the quarter-finals. They did slightly better than that and knocked over England as well but were soundly beaten by South Africa in the quarter-finals. Their batting was their strength, however, South Africa rifled them out for 133 which was a sad end for the ODI career of Kumar Sangakkara, arguably the best batsman in the tournament. They will be looking to rebuild for the next World Cup. Hard to see them being this competitive but 4 years is a long time.

Already made my thoughts known on the whole Chokers tag here and here so I won’t go over that ground again. Having said that, I don’t think South Africa really performed to the level that they are capable of during the tournament. They were more inconsistent than usual succumbing meekly to both India (crashed out for 177 with run outs not helping) and Pakistan (bowled out for 202, the Pakistani pace attack gave them fits). Either that or I overestimated their capability. The game against NZ, where they were knocked out, was a classic. If they had played better in the earlier stages of the tournament that would have exposed them to the Australian pace attack in Sydney in the semi-final which would probably have had the same effect. We will never know now. Morkel and de Villiers wouldn’t be out of place in any World XI. Imran Tahir was also world class.

In the modern International Cricket Schedule there is little time for the full tour. It has been replaced by shorter tours which are typically 3 Test, 5 ODI and 2 T20 matches with a maximum of 1-2 lead up games. There is a lot to be said for India’s approach to the summer. India came to Australia for 2 lead up games, 4 Tests and 6 ODIs as preparation for the World Cup in the same region and reaped the benefits. They didn’t look great in the lead up ODIs but they looked great during the World Cup going undefeated right until the semi-final where it all fell apart. Even then their performance in the semi-final must be revised based on Australia’s performance in the final. India did well to reel Australia back in and keep them to 328 when a billion looked likely. Likewise, when they batted keeping the match as close as they did was also better than most nations would have done. The Australian pace attack was in top form. When MS Dhoni tried to get India as close as he could prior to taking risks it was against the best attack in the competition. Sure enough when he took his first calculated risk he lasted 2 balls. Australia gave him nothing to play at. Kohli, Dhawan and Dhoni were the standouts with the bat as expected but it was with the ball that they really exceeded expectations with Shami (17 wickets), Yadav (18), Ashwin (13) and Sharma (13) the stars. In the end it was a great campaign. They showed real spirit.

After some time has elapsed NZ will realise they had an awesome tournament and extracted every last ounce out of their team. There were so many stars for them. McCullum set the tone with his batting and captaincy. Guptill, Anderson and Elliott also starred with the bat. Grant Elliott steering the Kiwis home against South Africa will be remembered for a long time as a career defining moment (and his superannuation after retirement – guest speaker anyone?). Their pace attack was so good (apart from the Final, where they weren’t able to put much pressure on Australia) that Kyle Mills couldn’t find a place in the team. Boult and Southee in particular were devastating capably supported by Vettori at his wily best. In the end Australia’s pace attack was too big, too fast and too strong. The NZ top order couldn’t handle it. I remember turning to my wife when Brendon McCullum was bowled off the third ball and saying ‘well that is the end of New Zealand’s hopes’. Probably the thing that will hurt most for New Zealanders is that the perfect alignment of events (great team, good form and local conditions) doesn’t come along that often for the Shaky Isles. There is always 2039. Honestly, it is like waiting for Halley’s comet.

Note – At the start of the tournament, George Bailey (10), Aaron Finch (12), Glenn Maxwell (17), Shane Watson (19), James Faulkner (21) and Michael Clarke (28) were ranked higher than Warner, but I deemed Warner crucial to Australian hopes in the tournament.

I’ll admit it, I underestimated this Australian side (again). I just saw too many flaws. I saw a side that could knock up 450 every other day but be scarpered for 150 against the right attack (which happened against NZ in Auckland). Their pace attack was very effective but I didn’t know whether they could maintain it for a whole tournament. In the end it was all academic. The batting was enough. Smith, Maxwell and Warner were the best for the Aussies but everyone put their hand up at one stage or another. Their bowling really exceeded expectations though and it was the attack that really won the World Cup for Australia. Faulkner and Johnson were sublime but Starc was other-worldly. Everyone will remember what left handed pace bowling from a height looks like. NZ and India are probably still having nightmares about it. Unplayable.

What was sweeter than Jelly Bread?

The Baseball season has started. Sport every day. Every single day.

March Madness. Kentucky almost went all the way undefeated. Duke eventually got across the line against Wisconsin. Now begins the draft speculation in earnest.

GSW heading into the playoffs with a head full of steam and home court for the whole playoffs. I’m hoping that they can win it all and that Bogut can once and for all throw the injury monkey off his back. First Team All-Defense would be nice too.

Broncos vs Roosters – That was an epic game. It had a bit of everything.

Dragons vs Broncos – Broncos (This will be a great game and not just because of the history. Both teams are in relatively good form. Broncos have won the last million games against the Dragons and they should do enough this time as well)

Bulldogs vs Sea Eagles – Sea Eagles (Beginning to think that I picked the wrong side to miss the eight. I thought Melbourne would lose their mojo but it seems it might be the Sea Eagles. Still a fair bit of time to turn it around but Manly will want to do it in a hurry if they are going to do it at all. Likewise, regarding the Storm, plenty of time for them to falter. Bulldogs are severely depleted at the moment and Manly have less out. Just can’t see DCE and Foran letting Manly stay on the bottom of the ladder for too much longer. I’ll keep telling myself that)

Titans vs Panthers – Titans (Titans were very good against the Eels last week and Panthers are hitting very choppy waters with Soward, Wallace, Idris, Whare and Taylor all out. Titans should win but Panthers still have class across the paddock and apparently inexhaustible junior depth)

Cowboys vs Warriors – Cowboys (Cows are finally warming up and should win comfortably against the Warriors but you never know with the Warriors (or the Cowboys for that matter))

Storm vs Roosters – Storm (The Storm will miss Billy but the Roosters aren’t playing as well as last season. They miss SBW and they don’t really have the depth to lose too many players of the calibre of Aidan Guerra either. Pearce and Maloney not really hitting their straps consistently either)

Tigers vs Raiders – Tigers (Tiger Cubs will need to take the points against the Raiders if they want to make some noise this year. They will take plenty from their loss in NZ last week. Raiders keep surprising but they are still inconsistent)

Knights vs Eels – Knights (Knights to return to the winner’s circle this week. Eels not quite there yet)

Sharks vs Rabbitohs – Rabbitohs (Sharks have been very good lately and Bird looks like a keeper but Rabbitohs are too good a team to stay down for too long)

Martin Taupau (Tigers) for Kelepi Tanginoa (Cowboys) – Using some spare cash plus Lone Scout gave the tip that Tigers, Eels and Rabbitohs have the best bye coverage over the Origin period, so there’s that.

Holding on to Shaun Fensom against my better judgement too. Playing Chris Grevsmuhl as he is into Souths starting line up. Dropping Kierran Moseley as he is back to sharing with Beau Falloon so his numbers will drop off. Sam Lisone’s numbers are dropping off as well so he is back to the travelling reserves as well.

Crystal Palace vs West Brom – Crystal Palace 3-1 (Palace are on a post-Pardew streak of form. They are headed for the top half for the first time ever. They have restored my faith in the mid-table clash)

Everton vs Burnley – Everton 2-0 (Burnley are desperate for points but the Toffees have come to life all of a sudden)

Leicester vs Swansea – Leicester 2-1 (Leicester is crawling their way towards safety after looking dead for all money. Hull and Sunderland aren’t really moving away in a hurry either. Swansea have had a good season but have probably reached their high water mark)

Stoke vs Southampton – Southampton 2-1 (Southampton will be desperate to get something out of the season and playing in Europe would be just reward for their consistency)

Chelsea vs Man U – Chelsea 2-1 (Big, big game. Man U haven’t really been trumpeting the fact but they will probably fancy themselves this week. Chelsea will display its credentials again and remind us it is really only a one horse race)

Man City vs West Ham – Man City 3-1 (Man City needs a win. Earmarked as the main challengers for Chelsea early on they are in danger of slipping out of the Champion’s League spots)

Newcastle vs Tottenham – Tottenham 3-2 (Newcastle have pretty much stopped dead in the last month and with their constant injury toll they won’t knock off Tottenham without a miracle. Their fan base has relegation in the back of their minds as well. Not great times on Tyneside)

I’ve adopted the scoring system utilised by Mark Lawrenson on the BBC (a correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth ONE point and picking an exact score THREE points) and even though he wouldn’t know me from Adam we are going head to head all season long. It’s on like Donkey Kong (unless I get a letter from his lawyer or Donkey Kong’s lawyer and then I’m tipping against myself again).